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Blight Inoculations on Hybrid Chestnuts – Chestnut Return Farm, Seneca, SC, April 17, 2025

Today, several hybrid chestnut trees were inoculated with a fungal culture of Cryphonectria parasitica, which causes chestnut blight, to evaluate the resistance of each tree, at Dr. Joe James’s Chestnut Return Farm. Jamie Van Clief, TACF’s Southern Regional Science Coordinator, directed volunteers for this important work.  Clemson professor Dr. Haiying Liang and her students, Roger and Sky, participated.  Also, Katie Biggert, from the South Carolina Forestry Commission inoculated trees.  Peggy MacDonald, NC/SC Chapter President was also present to help.

Jamie demonstrated the method of inoculating trees with the fungus.

Jamie demonstrated the method of inoculating trees with the fungus.

 

Dr. Joe James with Clemson student Roger.

Dr. Joe James with Clemson student Roger.

 

Clemson students Roger and Sky inoculating hybrid chestnut trees.

Clemson students Roger and Sky inoculating hybrid chestnut trees.

 

Dr. Haiying Liang inoculating chestnut hybrids with Sky and Roger. This was a great hands-on experience for her students,

Dr. Haiying Liang inoculating chestnut hybrids with Sky and Roger. This was a great hands-on experience for her students.

 

A healthy F1 American/Chinese hybrid chestnut at the Chestnut Return Farm.

A healthy F1 American/Chinese hybrid chestnut at the Chestnut Return Farm.

 

Dr. Joe James with the volunteers on a beautiful spring day.

Dr. Joe James with the volunteers on a beautiful spring day.

 

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The American Chestnut Foundation
2 days ago
The American Chestnut Foundation

Several chestnut enthusiasts recently had the opportunity to visit John's Creek's planting in Virginia. One of the most memorable sights was the claw marks left by black bears foraging for chestnuts as they prepare for winter, a testament to the planting's success and its growing role in supporting wildlife. The visit took place during this year's NE2333 annual meeting.

#AmericanChestnut #ChestnutRestoration #ForestHealth #WildlifeConservation #HealthyForests ... See MoreSee Less

Several chestnut enthusiasts recently had the opportunity to visit Johns Creeks planting in Virginia. One of the most memorable sights was the claw marks left by black bears foraging for chestnuts as they prepare for winter, a testament to the plantings success and its growing role in supporting wildlife. The visit took place during this years NE2333 annual meeting.#AmericanChestnut #ChestnutRestoration #ForestHealth #WildlifeConservation #HealthyForests
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5 CommentsComment on Facebook

Have seen a number of true wild, pure American chestnut trees damaged by black bear. These trees are large enough to survive multiple years of “attacks” by black bear.

Hopefully the damaged bark does not serve as a corridor for the blight to enter living tissue.

Are these engineered trees or crossbred?

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The American Chestnut Foundation
5 days ago
The American Chestnut Foundation

This excellent article takes a deep dive into the history of the American chestnut, the science driving restoration efforts, and the communities helping make recovery possible. Be sure to read the perspectives shared by TACF Director of Science Jared Westbrook, Board Member Jim Searing, and PA/NJ Chapter member Mike Aucott. 🌳🌰

Read the article: rivertownsmagazine.com/stories/the-return-of-the-american-chestnut-tree,146154

#americanchestnut #forestry #ForestRestoration #citizenscience #conservation ... See MoreSee Less

This excellent article takes a deep dive into the history of the American chestnut, the science driving restoration efforts, and the communities helping make recovery possible. Be sure to read the perspectives shared by TACF Director of Science Jared Westbrook, Board Member Jim Searing, and PA/NJ Chapter member Mike Aucott. 🌳🌰Read the article: https://rivertownsmagazine.com/stories/the-return-of-the-american-chestnut-tree,146154 #AmericanChestnut #Forestry #ForestRestoration #CitizenScience #Conservation
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47 CommentsComment on Facebook

Thanks for sharing! This was a great article and we're glad to be part of the restoration efforts.

I have acreage, but no idea how to purchase these.

I will be pleased if a 100 ft, tall tree with a sweet chestnut can be developed from any of these approaches.

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The American Chestnut Foundation
1 week ago
The American Chestnut Foundation

The 2026 American Chestnut Symposium is taking shape! The current schedule is live, featuring expert presentations, panel discussions, restoration updates, networking opportunities, and field tours designed to bring our community together around the future of American chestnut restoration

Have research, restoration work, or a project to share? Consider participating in the poster session and connecting with fellow scientists, volunteers, conservation professionals, and chestnut enthusiasts.

Learn more, explore the schedule, and register today at tacf.org/2026-american-chestnut-symposium/

#ForestRestoration #conservation #forestry #nativespecies #americanchestnut ... See MoreSee Less

The 2026 American Chestnut Symposium is taking shape! The current schedule is live, featuring expert presentations, panel discussions, restoration updates, networking opportunities, and field tours designed to bring our community together around the future of American chestnut restorationHave research, restoration work, or a project to share? Consider participating in the poster session and connecting with fellow scientists, volunteers, conservation professionals, and chestnut enthusiasts.Learn more, explore the schedule, and register today at https://tacf.org/2026-american-chestnut-symposium/ #ForestRestoration #Conservation #Forestry #NativeSpecies #AmericanChestnutImage attachmentImage attachment+2Image attachment
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I will do my best to make it!

The American Chestnut Foundation
2 weeks ago
The American Chestnut Foundation

What a difference a neighbor can make. 🌳🌳 Our Director of Communications, Jules Smith, recently visited a 10+ year-old hybrid American chestnut covered in burs. Just out of frame is another hybrid chestnut that helped pollinate the tree, resulting in an impressive crop of nuts this year. It's a small but encouraging glimpse of what's possible as we work toward restoring this iconic species. #AmericanChestnut #Trees #Conservation #Nature #RestorationForestry ... See MoreSee Less

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12 CommentsComment on Facebook

I heard one of the possible mistakes of the original disease progression of chestnut blight was taking all trees down with signs of blight and not giving trees a chance to demonstrate some resistance. Not sure if that was accurate but it's food for thought as we try to bring them back

So the hybrid trees still get the blight, but can survive it? Rather than just not getting it?

Sorry for the off topic question: I have a 10 year old roughly 4” in diameter that is starting to show signs of blight, in lieu of mud packing I wonder if anyone has painted over it with something waterproof to slow the blight or does the mud do something more than than keep out the oxygen?

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